Water sport device



J1me 1963 B. H. WALLACH 3,

WATER SPORT DEVICE Filed April 3, 1,961

INVENTOR. BERNARD H. WALLACH BYgeL ATTOPAEY United States Patent fice Patented June 11, 1963 3,092,858 WATER SPORT DEVICE Bernard H. Wallach, 365 Knickerbocker Road, Englewood, NJ. Filed Apr. 3, 1961,'Ser. No. 100,108 1 Claim. (Cl. 9-348) This invention relates to aquatic sports such as sports practised on or in the water and particularly operatorcarrying devices of the type propelled by the operator, and in particular a body carrying platform mounted on a base, wing-shaped in cross section and patterned whereby travel of the base through the water causes the base to assume a position below the surface of the water, and wherein the device is propelled by an oar actuated by the operator and stabilized by the operator dipping his feet into the water at the rear of the device and shifting his body fore, aft, and laterally.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an aquatic carrier in which, as a result of propulsion, such as produced by an oar, the device is swiftly drawn through the water and the operator experiences all sensations of flying through the water.

Various types of safety belts, life preservers and the like have been provided for assisting beginners in swimming and for saving lives in accidents in the water. However, such devices are attached to the body by belts, straps, and the like, and are, therefore, not intended for sports or pleasure.

With this thought in mind, this invention contemplates an aquatic device having a body carrying platform supported by legs above a streamlined base or wing whereby a person on the platform may propel the device by any suitable propelling means, and may stabilize the device by submerging his feet in the water at the rear of the platform and by shifting his body fore, aft, and laterally on the platform.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide an operator-carrying water sport device in which a supporting base submerges to a position below the surface of the water as the device is propelled through the water.

Another object of the invention is to provide an aquatic carrier that is capable of being propelled by an operator positioned thereon.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a wing for supporting a person above the water in which the wing is submerged as it is drawn forwardly.

A further object of the invention is to provide stabiliz ing means for an aquatic carrier.

A still further object is to provide an aquatic carrier having a platform suspended above a streamlined base which is designed to be submerged in the water, in which means is provided for adjusting the distance between the platform and base.

A still further object is to provide an aquatic device having a platform suspended by legs above a base in which the device is of simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a base, wing-shaped in cross section, a body carrying platform positioned above the base, and struts mounted on the base and upon upper ends of which the platform is supported extended between the base and platform.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had 2 to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accomapnying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the improved water sport device and showing an operator on the platform thereof.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an aquatic float embodying a modification of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational View of the water sport device showing another modification wherein the platform is adjustable in relation to the base or Wing.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the device showing a further modification wherein the device is round instead of being rectangular or square.

In the accompanying drawing and in the following specification the same reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts in which the water sport device includes a wing-like base 10, a platform 12, and legs 14 which extend upwardly and inwardly. The device may be made of wood, plastic or other suitable material.

The base 10 is streamlined, being similar to wings of aircraft in cross section, having a rounded nose 16 with arcuate upper and lower surfaces 18 and 20 which taper to a sharp trailing edge 22.

The base 10 may be provided with openings 24 in which lower ends of the legs 14 are secured, such as by a press fit, and the upper ends of the legs may be secured in similar openings 26 in the platform, as shown in FIG. 2. It will be understood, however, that the legs may be secured to the base and platform by other means. It will also be understood that, as shown in FIG. 5, the length of the legs may be adjustable so that the distance between the base and platform may be regulated. In this figure a platform 28 is mounted by legs 30 on a base 3-2, the platform being of smaller area than the area of the base. The lower threaded portion 34 of the legs extend into adjusting nuts 36 on the base 32, the legs being held in adjusted position by lock nuts 38. Washers 40 may also be provided between the nuts 36 and upper surface 42 of the base 32. \It will be understood that other means may be provided for adjusting the distance between the platform and base.

In the design illustrated in FIG. 4, the platform 12' is illustrated as having an arcuate-shaped depression 44 extending from end to end thereof to receive fittingly the body of the operator in prone position as shown in FIG. 1.

In the design illustrated in FIG. 6, a circular platform 52 is supported by legs 54 from a base 56, and it will be understood that either the base or platform may be of any other design. The platform may also be yieldably mounted and cushioned.

In operation, with the parts assembled as illustrated and described, the weight of an operator on the platform, as illustrated in FIG. 1, holds the wing or base 10 downwardly so that as the device is drawn through the water by the oar 60, or other means, the base assumes a position below the surface 58 of the water, supporting the body of the operator above the water. The base is streamlined so that it ofiers very little resistance as it is urged, through the water and, consequently, the operator may drive the device through the Water at high speed whereby the operator will experience all sensations of flying through the Water.

The aquatic device is stabilized by the operator, dipping his feet into the water at the rear, and shifting his body fore, aft, and laterally.

The device may be readily steered by manipulation of the operators body.

While I have-illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the, scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

A water sport device comprising a streamlined aircraft type base adapted to be submerged and propelled through the water, legs extending upwardly and inwardly from the base, and a platform of smaller area than the area of the base supported on the top of the legs, said platform having a central depressed portion from end to end thereof adapted to support a persons body in a prone position 4 While stroking a propelling means for propelling the device through the water.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,422,533 ,Brown July 11, 1922 2,420,422 Gilliam May 13, 1947 2,498,459 Schroetter 'Feb. 21, 1950 2,717,791 Packer Sept. 13, 1955 2,751,612 Shepard June 26, 1956 2,752,617 Fowler July 3, 1956 2,817,101 Chaifee Dec. 24, 1957 2,841,406 Brandon July 1, 1958 2,931,332 Hebrank Apr. 5, 1960 2,940,090. Pournier June 14, 1960 2,997,299 Wilkins Aug. 22, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 305,736 Germany May 13, 1918 r116,338 Sweden Apr. 30, 1946 1,007,294 France Feb. 6, 1952 1,076,257 France Apr. 21, 1954 517,961 Canada Nov. 1, 

